Memorial unveiled to RAF hero at crash scene near Barnard Castle

A farmer has described the moment an RAF pilot steered his stricken plane from homes moments before crashing, as a memorial was dedicated to the airman during a moving ceremony.

Group Captain David Ayton Haward died when his RAF Hawker Harrier II GR7 crashed during a practice bombing run near Barnard Castle on December 18, 1998.

Tragedy struck when he faced an unrecoverable situation after flying into a telephone wire and was left with just 2.6 seconds to avert further disaster.

(Image: TEESDALE AVIATION)

In his last moments, he was able to steer the falling aircraft away from homes in Stainton Moor and crashed in a field on Shepherds Lodge farm, averting a potential disaster.

This week RAF colleagues, local residents and his wife Nikki and family gathered to mark his memory and heroism with the unveiling of a memorial near the crash site. Recalling the fateful day, farmer Brian Robson said: "It was a Friday afternoon and I was in the yard when one Harrier flew over, then another and a third which didn't sound right.

Christopher Galley (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

"The next thing he did a 90 degree turn and crashed into a field right in front of us. He steered to avoid the houses and tried to eject but was too late. It was the most shocking thing I have ever seen."

He added: "Two of the jets came back and flew around, the jet was buried deep in the ground. "We planted a tree near the site 25 years ago but it didn't survive. So seeing this permanent memorial being decidated has been really moving."

Farmers Terry Parkin and Brian Robson who was first on the scene (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Christopher Galley and his sister Claire Earl, who run Teesdale Aviation Day, coordinated efforts to have the memorial installed.

Unveiling the memorial, Mr Galley, said: "In a heartbeat and shrouded in cloud catastrophe strikes. With mere seconds to act what do you choose? Save yourself and eject or make sure you avert a disaster on the ground?"It is a decision that most of us could never fathom, but on the 18th of December 1998 Group Captain Haward was to face that impossible scenario.

(Image: Sarah Caldecott)

"In those final 2.6 seconds he stayed with his beloved Harrier and fought to steer her away from farms below - and at that speed possibly away from the communities of Staindrop, Stainton or even Barnard Castle.

"His final actions whether conscious or instinctive may have spared lives on the ground - a selfless act that left an indelible mark on those who witnessed it and came running to help. Mr Brian Robson being the first to arrive."

The practised aviator had just that year been promoted to Commanding Officer of RAF Wittering after rising through the ranks following his enlistment in 1971.

The family of Captain David Ayton Haward (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Present at the event unveiling were Air Commodore Adam Sanson, retired Air Marshall Stuart Atha, The Rev Sandy Gall of RAF Leeming, along with Group Captain Haward's wife Nikki, son Tom, daughter Natasha and granddaughter Freya.

Mr Galley said: "From memories and comments on social media it became obvious that we needed to do something."With the tree that was planted having perished, there was nothing at the site to mark it had happened. to commemorate both David and the aircraft. and his bravery."

Air Commodore Adam Sansom (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

A team to realise the ambition for a memorial included Mark Rumble of Staindrop, who sourced a Harrier vent and Andrew Nicholson, a stonemason of Barnard Castle, with stone gifted by Paul Allerton near Dun House Quarry.

Many people donated cash toward the project through crowdfunding.